The 2012 Greenwich graduate produced a standout freshman season for the North Carolina State woman's soccer team last year, finishing as the Wolfpack's second leading scorer with nine points. Yet Colligan, a forward, who started 11 games for North Carolina State, felt a change was necessary after the 2012 season.

Steve Springthorpe, who served as NC State's soccer coach for four seasons, resigned after the team posted a record of 5-14 last season. Springthorpe recruited Colligan and nine other freshmen who joined the North Carolina State squad a year ago. Colligan was one of six freshmen who either transferred to another school or left the team after completing their freshman year at N.C. State.

"There were a lot of components that went into my decision to leave North Carolina State," said Colligan, who flourished in both soccer and lacrosse at Greenwich High. "It primarily had to do with the coaching change."

Following Springthorpe's resignation, North Carolina State announced the hiring of Tim Santoro as head coach of the woman's soccer team. Prior to arriving at N.C. State, Santoro was an assistant coach for the Wake Forest University woman's soccer team.

"He (Santoro) came in and made some changes to the program," Colligan said. "The changes he was making to the program did not seem like they would be in my best interest. He has a lot of soccer knowledge and a good background in the ACC and he was going to use those resources to create a different team."

So it was decision time for Colligan, who felt her role on the Wolfpack team was going to change. Her options led her to the University of Richmond, which competes in the Atlantic-10. Richmond head woman's soccer coach Peter Albright reached out to Colligan, giving her some surprising news.

"Coach Albright called me and said he was interested in having me play soccer there and he also said there was a possibility of me playing lacrosse at Richmond as well," Colligan said. "He received my bio and spoke to the school's lacrosse coach (Allison Evans). He was the one who gave me the opportunity to look into playing both sports."

A visit to Richmond sold Colligan on the chance to play both sports at the Virginia-based university.

"When I came here, I fell in love with the campus and the school," Colligan said. "I knew great opportunities were being offered to me. It seemed like all the right pieces were coming together."

Despite the transfer, Colligan left North Carolina State with fond memories of her one year at the ACC school.

"I absolutely don't regret my freshman year at North Carolina State," Colligan said. "My goal since I was a little kid was playing soccer at a school like that and when I got there and earned a starting position it felt incredible. Playing for a team in the ACC was a great experience on and off the field. My teammates were also fantastic, I really miss them."

Because she was transferring to a school in a different conference, Colligan wasn't required to sit out a year. Therefore she's currently on the soccer field competing for Richmond. Heading into Sunday's game against fifth-ranked Virginia, the Spiders are 1-1-1, with Colligan receiving significant minutes coming off the bench.

"I'm coming off an injury, I got a concussion in the spring, but the more minutes I get under my belt the more comfortable I feel," Colligan said. "Coach was expecting there to be an adjustment period for me playing here because it's a different style of play."

Colligan entered the college ranks with an impressive resume in both soccer and lacrosse. A four-year starter on the Greenwich soccer team, she was an All-American and three-time All-State selection. A member of the Cardinals' 2011 FCIAC championship team, Colligan led GHS in scoring three seasons, including 2009 when she set a team single season record for goals in a season with 20. She also represented the U.S. as a member of the U-19 team at the FIFA Tournament in Russia.

On the lacrosse field at GHS, Colligan was a two-time All-State selection and a key contributor to the squad's 2011 and 2012 state title winning teams. This past spring, she appeared on the sideline at some of the Greenwich girls lacrosse team's games and practices where she helped the coaching staff.

"When I came back from school in May, I went straight to the Greenwich High lacrosse team," Colligan said. "Being around that sport again made me realize how much I loved it and how much I missed playing lacrosse. Playing two sports in high school made me incredibly happy and I'm glad I have the opportunity to do that again. It's going to be a challenge, but I'm excited about it."